Topics: UEFA Champions League, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone
The Atletico Madrid boss is hopeful of his team's chances against the reigning European champions at Anfield.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has cautioned Liverpool ahead of Wednesday's Champions League showdown. The 49-year-old Argentine manager insists that his players are capable of hurting the qualification chances of the reigning European champions when they grace Anfield for the Round of 16 second-leg encounter.

Atletico heads into the mid-week's European cup game with an advantage from the first leg after Saul Niguez produced the only goal against the Reds at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium two weeks ago. Nevertheless, with Anfield proving to be a fortress for Jurgen Klopp's men in recent years, the hosts are expected to get the better of their Spanish opponents.

Relatively, Los Rojiblancos - who are known for their exceptional defensive style - are expected to deal with the attacking threats of the current Premier League leaders. Manager of the side, Diego Simeone buys into the belief of keeping the English club at bay and is optimistic about his team's chances of matching the Merseysiders in their territory.

"If I tell you my plans for the game it wouldn't be logical," he said in his pre-match news conference. "I think they [Liverpool] know how we will play after eight years of being here.

"We have to keep what we can during the game. Some managers will say 'we are going to get forward'. That would be a nice pleasant dream.

"But all the thoughts I have before a game it is down to how much you are motivated on the field.

"Opponents might make you suffer at times in a game, they [Liverpool] have always played almost always with a high line.

"It will be a tough opponent with lots of ways of hurting you in attack. Experiences in life always help you but you have to make sure you don't repeat mistakes.

"We almost always compete really well at a high level. Tomorrow the game will demand that we are on top form. We think we can hurt them."

Atletico Madrid heads into Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Liverpool on the back of a 2-2 draw with Sevilla over the weekend. On the other hand, the Reds overcame a stubborn Bournemouth side to seal a 2-1 home win - a result which put them two wins away from securing the 2019/2020 Premier League title.